Ladysmith council has voted down the idea of a shower-only fee at the Frank Jameson Community Centre.
Four concillors at the June 6 meeting agreed with a Parks, Recreation and Culture Department recommendation not to allow use of the centre for a shower fee that would have been half the $5.50 adult fee for full-use.
Councillors Carol Henderson, Cal Fradin, Joe Friesenhan and Duck Paterson agreed with the department recommendation. Mayor Aaron Stone along with Councillors Rob Hutchins and Steve Arnett voted against the recommendation, or in favour of allowing a shower-only fee.
The idea was first floated by former Coun. Jill Dashwood in January as a means of providing the homeless a place where they could shower.
Coun. Paterson confirmed during the meeting that discussions with the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association about using their facility for providing access to showers for the homeless are continuing.
Coun. Hutchins noted that both Nanaimo and North Cowichan offer show-only fees in some of their facilities